THE AMERICAN PERIOD

NARRATOR:    And so the Spanish era ended with the Mock Battle in Manila Bay. We rejoiced because we were finally out of the hands of the Spanish, who had terrorized us for so long. However, the joy was short-lived as we soon came to realize that colonial grip on our country had not ended – it had just changed hands.

                                After the autocratic Spanish left, the seemingly more diplomatic Americans came to change our way of life. It all began with the exile of our great war heroes, such as Apolinario Mabini and Tandang Sora. They also declared Dr. Jose Rizal as our national hero, choosing him over Andres Bonifacio and General Emilio Aguinaldo. The Americans clearly pushed for the intelligent and pro-peace illustrado over the revolutionary and the military general.

BEA’S TRANSFORMATION

[Setting: Anywhere, preferably house or street.]

ISAY:    Ano ba ‘yang sinusuot mo?

BEA:      Oh, that Maria Clara look is so out na. This is what’s in ngayon. It’s new and just came in from the States, don’t you like?

ISAY:    Mukhang kang *snort* ewan. Akala mo kung sino, pa ingles-ingles pa. Nakalimutan na yata na Pilipino siya, my golly me.

THE MISEDUCATION OF GUBA

[Setting: Classroom? Vien sits on a chair while Steph, Guba & Jackie sit on the floor around him.]

VIEN:    Okay. This is…

TRIO:    Ah.

VIEN:    No, this is ey (A). Can anyone tell me something that begins with the letter A? / Yes, you. What’s your name?

GUBA: Maria Leonora Teresa Magbuwaya.

VIEN:    My, that’s a difficult name. I will call you Eleanor. Eleanor, what starts with the letter A?

GUBA: Arroz caldo.

VIEN:    No, no. Apple.

GUBA: Epol.

VIEN:    Apple.

GUBA: Epol.

VIEN:    Ah-Pl.

GUBA: Epol, mansanas, pareho lang yan. Kinakain pa rin.

MISEDUCATION OF SALUD, AHEM, SALLY

VIEN:    Yes? And you are?

STEPH:                Salud Kayumanggi.

VIEN:    What?

STEPH:                Salud Kayumanggi,

VIEN:    Uhm, yes. Sally.

STEPH:                Haha? Sinong Sally?

VIEN:    I will call you Sally Brown because it’s a much prettier name.

STEPH:                Ah, sige na nga. Senor, ano po ba ang ginagawa ninyo dito sa Pilipinas?

VIEN:    You can call me We’re here to educate your men on the democratic practices that we use in our country, the United States of America so that when we leave your country, you will be able to carry on as a democratic nation, completely independent.

(CUT SCENE)

[Setting: Office, if possible.]

VIEN:    Come on, my friend, sign it.

VIEN:    This Parity Ammendment and the provisions of the Laurel-Langley agreement look questionable. Equal rights to our natural resources? Military bases?

VIEN:    Would I lie to you? It’s for the benefit of your country.

VIEN:    Uh..sige na nga…I trust you.

VIEN:    Thank you! (on phone or whatever they used before) General, it’s a go. The Filipinos have signed the papers. Begin construction of our bases and start harvesting those natural resources.

JAO:     Ako, gusto kong maging presidente ng Pilipinas. Hinahangaan ko talaga sina Gabriela Silang at Gregoria de Jesus.

VIEN:    Ah, but they got themselves killed, didn’t they? You’re a lady. Why don’t you just stay at home and take care of the babies? I’m sure you’d make a lovely housewife.

NARRATOR:   Despite the American brainwashing, it was still during their time that women were given the vote. It was a long, arduous task that demanded a lot of sacrifice from all the women who were involved. After the bill was sent to Congress, they required that it be ratified by 300,000 women. It took nearly 20 years…but through the persistence of our great female ancestors aided by Western female activists, women were given the right to vote in 1937 when 447,725 women ratified the suffragette movement.

                                Our women also fought in the struggles for independence against the Americans. They fought and they died bravely. It caused one American general to remark, “The greatest men in the Philippines are its women.” Filipinas have shown their courage and strength since the beginning of time and they continue to show it to this day.

                                December 8, 1941 – the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and sparked the Second World War. It was then that all hell broke loose and the Philippines, being an American colony, suffered as well.